It’s not uncommon for people to immerse themselves in televised reality shows, becoming “Survivor” fanatics, obsessively following a couple on “Dancing with the Stars” or tearfully mourning the departure of an unsuccessful “American Idol” contestant.

These strange "undersea creatures" were spotted in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary during a past Underwater Music Festival. (Photo by Bill Keogh, Florida Keys News Bureau)

But only in the Florida Keys this year, on July 14, can you TRULY get immersed in the action. That’s when part of the continental United States’ only living coral barrier reef becomes a stage for “reefality show” personalities during the Lower Keys Underwater Music Festival.

For this to make any sense at all, you need to know a little background on the festival. The underwater concert has been taking place annually for more than 25 years, presented by local radio station US1 at Looe Key Reef, about six miles south of Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

“This is one of those quirky Keys events that bring people together close to their environment, close to the water,” said festival founder Bill Becker of US1. “It’s a very significant event for a lot of people down here because it’s music underwater celebrating the coral reef.”

Tea, anyone? Divers at a previous Underwater Music Festival staged a wacky "Alice in Wonderland" takeoff featuring the "Mad Haddock's" tea party. (Photo by Bob Care, Florida Keys News Bureau)

And, yes, divers and snorkelers who take part really DO hear music underwater. The music — water-themed selections ranging from the Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine” and Jimmy Buffett’s “Fins” to the theme from “Titanic” (!) — is broadcast on US1, and piped beneath the waves by special speakers suspended beneath boats positioned above the reef.

“We look for music that sounds good underwater,” Bill explained, “music that has that kind of ethereal quality that makes you think of being underwater.”

The 2012 festival theme comes in part from a musical phenomenon: the television program “American Idol” — renamed “Underwater Idol” since it takes place on an ocean-floor stage. Attendees might spot “sea-lebrities” like former judge “Simon Coral” and current judge “J. Lo Tide,” or even famed former winner “Carrie Undersea.”

Could these divers, playing August Powers' instruments, be rehearsing for their "Underwater Idol" appearances? (Photo by Bill Keogh, Florida Keys News Bureau)

But the festival isn’t just being staged as a take-off of “American Idol.” Divers and snorkelers will likely see participants costumed to salute other “reefality” shows “Dancing with the Stars” (here dubbed “Dancing with the Starfish”) and “Survivor” (recast as “Subsea Survivor”).

And there will be plenty of instruments on hand in case they want to toot their own horns. “Reefality” show personalities can “play” underwater musical instruments like a trom-bonefish, clambourine and sax-eel-phone sculpted by talented Florida Keys artist August Powers. Born in August’s imagination and then carefully crafted, each instrument playfully incorporates the characteristics of an undersea creature.

Speaking of playful, a couple of years back the Underwater Music Festival saluted the classic tale “Alice in Wonderland.” The highlight was a sea-floor tea party featuring divers costumed as Alice, the “Mad Haddock,” “Cheshire Catfish” and others spoofing the story’s memorable characters.

According to participants, the underwater sound even attracted some indigenous residents of the reef — fish that, one diver swears, were moving to the beat.

Samantha Langsdale, dressed as a mermaid, blows air through a "musical instrument" sculpted by Lower Keys artist August Powers. (Photo by Bob Care, Florida Keys News Bureau)

If the Underwater Music Festival sounds a little offbeat, remember that “offbeat” is often the norm in the Keys — and the popular festival’s quirkiness is part of its considerable appeal.

Plus, the event is really a lighthearted way to communicate a serious message of coral reef preservation. The musical broadcast features plenty of diver awareness announcements, which spotlight ways to enjoy the reef while minimizing impacts on the underwater environment.

And that’s a “reefality” check that should be music to any Keys fan’s ears.